Sunset Over Bethany

Chapter 5 - Rowan

Chapter 5 - Rowan

            Rowan stared at the phone across from him resting on the dining table. It lay there, warm and inviting in the heat of the kitchen air. In its reflection he could see the stove light and the clock that hung beside it. It was 8:15 in the evening. Perhaps it was too early to call, but he couldn’t know for certain.

            Some people have late dinners he thought. Perhaps I should call later tonight.

            He sat back and stared off into nothing. The chair creaked underneath him. He heard the tick tock of the clock echo around the room. It felt oddly empty, but then again he didn’t have much in his kitchen. His eyes opened suddenly and he sat back up.

            Or maybe she’s the kind to have an early dinner and go to sleep early!

            A sweat broke from his brow. He had never been this nervous ever. He’d called girls before to ask for dates, but that was five years ago. He was young and dumb, too confident for his own good. In fact, he lost out on too many dates because he seemed too cocky on the phone. It seemed girls hated overconfidence, an alien idea for a 19-year-old. But Rowan had mellowed by then, scarcely speaking to many girls, not since her.

            He could still remember the way she looked at him, bright blue eyes speckled with gold, black hair flowing from her head. It seemed a dream, and maybe perhaps it was, but if it were, he had been asleep a long time. Waking up from a dream so sweet was a cruel joke.

            Memories swam across his eyes and were gone in an instant. He blinked slowly and picked up the phone, still nearly in a trance. The dialing of the phone drowned out the ticking of the clock. He waited.

            “Hello?”

            “Hey Abby, it’s me, Rowan, the guy from the café, remember?

            “Oh hey, Rowan! It’s great to hear from you again. So what’s up?”

            “Nothing much. I was just wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime?”

            “Ummmm,” she paused, “Yeah sure, I can definitely do that! What did you have in mind?”

            “Oh you know, go out on the town, walk the streets and have some dinner. I know this great place that we can go to, I’ve been there about five times and they never disappoint. Are you up for it?”

            “Definitely, that sounds really great!” There was a hint of hesitation in her voice. “Listen, it’s so sweet of you to call me; it’s been a while since I’ve done anything like this. I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun! When did you have in mind?”

            “Are you free Friday at 6? I’ll pick you up at your place.”

            “Yeah I should be fine for then! I’ll be waiting for you Rowan, don’t be late!”

            And then she hung up.

            Tick tock tick tock

            Huh I have a date Friday, how queer he thought. It didn’t seem real, but it felt perfect, though somehow not right.

            It doesn’t feel like her.

            Then he realized Shit! I forgot to ask for her address!